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Power Steering Pump

Contributed By: Miles P.

The Power Steering Pump is the hydraulic system that allows the driver to turn the steering wheel without taking much effort. When you turn your steering wheel it turns the steering column that leads down to the steering rack. The rack moves by turning the pinion that is connected to the steering column. Turning the wheels without using the steering pump would be difficult at low, parking-lot speeds.

The pump is what drives the power steering. Inside the pump there are retractable rotary vanes that spin in an oval chamber. This takes the power steering fluid from the reservoir and pressurizes it. The fluid travels down a high pressure rated hose and into the steering rack, which is connected to the wheels to help you turn the wheels left or right. The steering rack then applies the pressurized fluid against a hydraulic piston that aids in the movement of the steering rack in either direction.

A belt connected to your engine runs the pump. This means that the amount of flow of pressurized fluid depends on the speed that the engine is running. There is a pressure relief valve in the pump that makes sure the pressure does not become too high while driving at high engine speeds.

Photo's from Howstuffworks.com

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